Health organisations forming the #protectournext movement have called for a 100% increase in tobacco tax ahead of the mid-term budget speech next week.  A significant increase can make tobacco products less affordable, reducing consumption, improving public health, reducing the already heavy burden on the health system and adding to state revenue, say the National Council Against Smoking (NCAS), CANSA, the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and the Heart and Stroke Foundation SA.

As the spotlight falls on breast cancer this October, it's time to give our teens even more reason not to light up. Research indicates that adolescent breast tissue is particularly vulnerable to the carcinogenic properties of tobacco. Considering the high incidence of breast cancer in South Africa, (lifetime risk of 1 in 26 women) and the fact that over 16% of young learners smoke, we must find ways to stop girls from becoming hooked on nicotine, says Lorraine Govender of the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA).  

As South Africa’s Control of Tobacco and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill continues to await conclusion by the National Department of Health, a full two years after public consultation was completed, the City of Cape Town, our seat of parliament, is moving ahead with plans to become a smoke-free city. The City announced public buildings could soon become smoke-free as part of its participation in the Bloomberg Partnership for Healthy Cities, a global network of 70 cities committed to saving lives by preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDS) like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and chronic lung disease. Smoking is one of the risk factors for these diseases. 

Tobacco harms young and old, men and women. Women and children, however, face unique challenges and may be more vulnerable to the hazards of tobacco use than men. Women and children exposed to tobacco are more likely than men to develop coronary heart disease over their lifetime, as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Additionally, exposure to tobacco through smoking or passive smoking imposes female specific health concerns for women and children. Pregnant women and their unborn babies are also at risk to tobacco harms.